The O’Kayviuses make their glorious return, and this time Esme is at the wheel. Esme identifies what she believes are the two biggest challenges facing women and girls when it comes to getting diagnosed with (and receiving treatment for) ADHD. Spoiler alert: they both suck. To be clear, it’s the challenges that suck and not Esme’s theories, which are supported by evidence.

Naturally, Marcus takes the conversation down a few different rabbit holes. Sadly, none of them involve stories about soul music or its practitioners.

Trigger warning: This episode contains references to disordered eating, self harm, suicidal thoughts/ideation/attempts. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is dealing with these issues, please know that hope and help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

- Call or text 988

- Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Visit our website: talkingcrazypod.com

Support our show:

• Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod.

Sources for this episode include:

• Balch, Bridget. “Why we know so little about women’s health.” AAMC.org. March 26, 2024. https://www.aamc.org/news/why-we-know-so-little-about-women-s-health
• Layne Rodgers, Anni. “We Demand Attention on the Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Late-Life Diagnoses on Women.” ADDitudemag.com. May 9, 2024. https://www.additudemag.com/life-expectancy-shortened-adhd-women/
• National Institutes of Health. "History of Women’s Participation in Clinical Research." Office of Research on Women's Health, n.d. Web. Jan 27, 2025. https://orwh.od.nih.gov/toolkit/recruitment/history
• Eng, Ashley G. et al. “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the menstrual cycle: Theory and evidence.” Hormones and Behavior, Volume 158, 2024,105466, ISSN 0018-506X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105466 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0018506X23001642)
• Littman, Ellen. "Rejection Sensitivity In Women and Girls: RSD with ADHD." ADDitudemag.com. June 5, 2023. https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitivity-women-adhd/
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. "Women and Girls." CHADD.org, n.d. Web. January 27, 2025. https://chadd.org/for-adults/women-and-girls/

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• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus and Esme announce they are taking a short break to catch up on some work. They will return with a new episode in two weeks.

Visit our website: talkingcrazypod.com

Support our show:

• Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod.

Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Happy belated holidays to all! Marcus and Esme bounce back from a holiday season full of sinus infections and other complications to deliver their first episode of 2025. Yes, it was supposed to be their last episode of 2024 but cut them some slack. If they have been upfront with their audience about anything, it’s that they are by no means perfect. They’re just two crazy kids who love each other and all of you (particularly those “one-off” listeners in Germany, Norway, and Wales).

Visit our website: talkingcrazypod.com

Support our show:

• Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod.

Sources for this episode include:

• UCLA Health. “Health benefits of gratitude.” uclahealth.org. March 22, 2023. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude
• Bohlmeijer, E.T., Kraiss, J.T., Watkins, P. et al. Promoting Gratitude as a Resource for Sustainable Mental Health: Results of a 3-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial up to 6 Months Follow-up. J Happiness Stud 22, 1011–1032 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00261-5

Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Esme is, as always, amazing. Fortunately, Marcus already knew this.

Trigger warning: This episode contains references to suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is dealing with these issues, please know that hope and help is available.

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

• Call or text 988
• Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Visit our website: talkingcrazypod.com

Support our show

• Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod.

Sources for this episode include:

• Berg, Sara, MS. “What doctors wish patients knew about social isolation.” ama-assn.org. September 15, 2023. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-social-isolation

Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus prepares Esme and himself for their upcoming re-evaluation of Yacht Rock. Then, Marucs and Esme continue their discussion about Toxic Positivity (go back and listen to episode 5 for part 1) by sharing excerpts from journalist, author, and activist Barbara Ehrenreich’s 2009 book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking has Undermined America.

Visit our website: talkingcrazypod.com

Support our show

• Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod.

Sources for this episode include:

• Yildirim, Ece. “Harvard-trained psychiatrist: Everyone needs these 3 new skills to succeed in today’s workplaces.” CNBC.com. December 15, 2023. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/15/harvard-trained-psychiatrist-new-skills-you-need-for-the-workplace.html#:~:text=In%20short%3A%20To%20succeed%20in,at%20employee%20coaching%20platform%20BetterUp.
• Ozcelik, H., & Barsade, S. G. (2018). No employee an island: Workplace loneliness and job performance. Academy of Management Journal, 61(6), 2343–2366. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2015.1066
• Ehrenreich, Barbara. Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. Metropolitan Books, 2009.

Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

On this very special and completely unintended episode, Marcus and Esme describe the role their ADHD played in a recent set of events that included (among other things) the cataclysmic failure of a home heating system, the disruption of their production schedule, sequestration in a hotel suite, and the internal processing of a great deal of shame.

Visit our website

Support our show

• Buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/crazytogetherpod.

Sources for this episode include:

• Saline, Sharon, Psy.D.. “Stop Dodging That Dreaded Task! 9 Ways to Halt Avoidance Procrastination.” www.additudemag.com. February 7, 2023. https://www.additudemag.com/avoidance-procrastination-how-to-stop-procrastinating-procrastivity-adhd/

• “ADHD Medication.” ClevelandClinic.org. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11766-adhd-medication

Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus shows Esme an article that set him off recently, which leads to a lengthy discussion about why we are encouraged to maintain a positive attitude, even while things are breaking down all around us.

Visit our website

Sources for this episode include:

• Yildirim, Ece. “Harvard-trained psychiatrist: Everyone needs these 3 new skills to succeed in today’s workplaces.” CNBC.com. December 15, 2023. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/15/harvard-trained-psychiatrist-new-skills-you-need-for-the-workplace.html#:~:text=In%20short%3A%20To%20succeed%20in,at%20employee%20coaching%20platform%20BetterUp.
• “Resilience.” apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
• Ozcelik, H., & Barsade, S. G. (2018). No employee an island: Workplace loneliness and job performance. Academy of Management Journal, 61(6), 2343–2366. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2015.1066

Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp

Marcus unveils his grand plan for saving democracy but acknowledges he might be a little late. Then, Marcus and Esme briefly discuss their feelings and outlook following the 2024 election.

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Our theme music:

• Midnight—Declan DP [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Midnight — Declan DP | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/midnight-declan-dp